Jesse James Rides Again

Four years after ruining his seemingly perfect marriage to Sandra Bullock, Jesse James has settled into a relatively quiet life in Driftwood
with his kids and wife No. 4.

By Lynne Margolis

Published: January 31, 2014

Photo by Leann Mueller

(page 1 of 4)

On a gray, shiver-inducing afternoon, Jesse James kneels in front of the wood-burning stove in his workshop, a former recreational vehicle storage building on the grounds of his nearly $2 million Driftwood estate. As he stokes the embers, his dogs—super-sweet pit bulls Mr. T and Cinnabun and French bulldogs Pierre and Coco, who recently became parents—cluster near the heat, wagging their tails and competing for attention.

James perches on a tall stool and starts tossing treats into their mouths. After administering a few belly rubs, he’s ready to reflect on his life and its many changes—including his proclaimed metamorphosis from serial philanderer to faithful, scandal-avoiding husband and businessman. It’s been a wild ride, to say the least—with breathless tabloid play-by-play since he first hooked up with actress Sandra Bullock 10 years ago.

In case anyone has managed to avoid hearing about James’ recent exploits, here’s some background: Raised by an abusive father in Los Angeles’ rough South Gate section, former street rat Jesse Gregory James parlayed his passion for building motorbikes into West Coast Choppers, the nation’s top custom shop. Then came reality TV stardom, including the hit show Monster Garage. After Bullock visited the set with her godson, the now-wealthy tattooed biker with a rebel reputation and claimed lineage to one of American history’s baddest outlaws quickly wooed and won America’s Sweetheart.

In less than five years, however, he skidded off the happily-ever-after track and down a far more ignominious path, ultimately landing on a variety of “most-hated celebrity” lists. A dubious distinction reserved for those who commit particularly vile acts, James earned that status by habitually cheating on Hollywood’s most adored female film star.

Just how does one recover from such transgressions? Apologize, beg forgiveness, head to rehab and hope our collective attention span shifts to the next scandal with record-breaking speed? James tried all of that, but even though he says he’s grown from his past mistakes and is now 100 percent committed to his current life—complete with new wife, professional drag-racer Alexis DeJoria, and her daughter, Isabella—he’s steered a post-Bullock course some consider confounding, and others, well, they use less diplomatic words.

Among James’ eyebrow-raising behaviors:

Moving his three kids to Driftwood, 15 miles away from where part-time Austinite Bullock lives when she’s in town, as soon as the ink was dry on their June 2010 divorce. (Wife No. 1, Karla James, mother of Chandler, 19, and Jesse Jr., 16, and wife No. 2, porn actress Janine Lindemulder, mother of Sunny, 10, relocated here, too.)

Getting engaged to tattoo artist and fellow reality star Kat Von D—twice—before finally calling it quits in September of 2011.

Publishing a tell-all book, American Outlaw, in 2011, and making rather ill-chosen statements about Bullock in the press.

Marrying wife No. 4, DeJoria—daughter of local hair-care and tequila magnate John Paul DeJoria—on March 24, 2013, just six months after they began dating.

Launching Jesse James Firearms Unlimited, a gun line aimed toward military and law enforcement markets and collectors, in November—as shooting tragedies continue reminding the nation that gun control is one of our most divisive issues.

Such activities might provoke inquiring minds to ask: “Dude, what are you thinking?”